A case of thymoma in myasthenia gravis: Successful outcome after thymectomy. (2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dahal, S.; Bhandari, N.; Dhakal, P.; Karmacharya, R.M.; Singh, A.K.; Tuladhar, S.M.; Devbhandari, M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of surgery case reports. Volume 65(2019)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 232
• Publication Date: 2019
• Subjects: Case report -- Myasthenia gravis -- Nepal -- Thymectomy -- Thymoma; Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgical Procedures, Operative -- Periodicals; Surgery; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.10.069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2210-2612

Abstract

Highlights: Thymoma can present with Myasthenia Gravis. Thymectomy improves outcome of Myasthenia gravis in patients with Thymoma. Complications in thymectomy can be prevented by proper pre- operative optimization and meticulous dissection during surgery. Abstract: Introduction: Thymic abnormalities occur as hyperplasia and thymoma. Myasthenia gravis is commonly present in thymoma. Thymectomy possesses risk due to anatomical proximity with vital thoracic structures and myasthenia crisis. Presentation of case: Forty five years female with complaints of difficulty swallowing and weakness of upper limb muscles upon investigation showed mass in mediastinum and antibody test for myasthenia gravis positive. Medical management was done for a month followed by thymectomy. There were no intra and postoperative complications. Medical management was stopped one month after surgery and she is symptom free. Discussion: Thymectomy is the standard of care where median sternotomy is the mainstay approach to surgery. Various other surgical approaches and complications revolving around surgery has been discussed. Conclusion: Surgical removal of thymoma cured myasthenia gravis in our case. We focused on proper preoperative optimization of myasthenia gravis symptoms before thymectomy.